Good Life starts only when you stop wanting a better One

Selecting a Software Bridegroom



A conversation about the process of selecting a software bridegroom.... Enjoy reading..

Vidhya: hey! what is the matter you have called up all of a sudden?
 
Nithya : do u remember that my parents gave my horoscope, to search for
a suitable match, to many people? So many horoscopes of the groom has
come.. in that 4-5 seems to match.. I don't know which one to select, I
am confused because of it.

Vidhya: what is the confusion about?

Nithya: horoscopes of many software engineers have come.
That's why I don't know whom I must select among this. You are a
software engineer na pls give me some suggestion.

vidhya: not a problem at all. So tell me the position that each one
holds.

nithya: first is a "manager".

vidhya: manager?? Then he will showcast himself that he is busy always.
But he will not do anything properly. He will get u 1 kg of rice and ask
you to prepare for the whole area say a village. He will get you mutton
and ask you to prepare chicken 65. Even if you protest telling you can't
make it, he'll not accept. He will tell you to work hard day and night
to prepare it. He will also tell he'll provide you with the night cab.
Even if you ask how can I prepare chicken 65 out of it by sitting day
and night he will not accept.

nithya: ohh..so dangerous he is!! Then I must escape. Next is a "test engineer".

vidhya: he is more dangerous than the other person. Whatever you do he
will correctly tell only the fault in it. Even if you try to surprise
him with 10 variety of food, he will tell the item which does not have
salt in it. If you ask him "will you not at least tell that it is good",
he will reply back saying it is your duty to make it good so why must I
tell that. He is sooo good ...

Nithya: then a NO to him also. Next is the "performance test engineer".

vidhya: he is another specimen.. even if everything is good, he will ask
why did it take this much time. If you take 10 minutes to make a coffee,
he will question you asking why you have taken 10 min for a coffee which
can be done within 5 min. Even if you say that he is talking about the
instant coffee while you have made the filter coffee, he will not
accept. The same will be with all the work you do. You must not think
about this person if you want to do make up in your life !!!

Nithya: then! you mean to say that we should not marry software guys??

Vidhya: who said like that?? In software there is one more group. They
are called the developers group. How much ever you hit them they will bear.


Nithya: then tell about them.

Vidhya: you don't have to do anything. They will do everything
themselves. If we sit back and just boost them it is enough. But the
problem with them is- they will say "I know it" whatever you ask them.
Even that is ok. They will bear how much ever you hit them but the
condition is you must keep saying "you are too good" after hitting them
every time.

Nithya: this is superb. Then we must search for this kind of a groom....

"Good Life starts only when you stop wanting a better One"

Respect HER

To all the guys who read this…..please read fully
and understand…………..
To all the girls who read this……….... An excellent forward……please read fully..... and forward to
the boys you know……….
This is a beautiful article:
T he woman in your life...very well expressed...

Tomorrow you may get a working woman, but you should marry herwith these facts as well.

Here is a girl, who is as much educated as you are;
Who is earning almost as much as you do;

One, who has dreams and aspirations just as
you have because she is as human as you are;

One, who has never entered the kitchen in her life just like you or your
Sister haven't, as she was busy in studies and competing in a system
that gives no special concession to girls for their culinary achievements

One, who has lived and loved her parents & brothers & sisters, almost as
much as you do for 20-25 years of her life;

One, who has bravely agreed to leave behind all that, her home, people who love her, to adopt your home, your family, your ways and even your family ,name

One, who is somehow expected to be a master-chef from day #1, while you sleep oblivious to her predicament in her new circumstances, environment and that kitchen

One, who is expected to make the tea, first thing in the morning and cook
food at the end of the day, even if she is as tired as you are, maybe more,
and yet never ever expected to complain; to be a servant, a cook, a mother,
a wife, even if she doesn't want to; and is learning just like you are as
to what you want from her; and is clumsy and sloppy at times and knows that you won't like it if she is too demanding, or if she learns faster than you;

One, who has her own set of friends, and that includes boys and even men at her workplace too, those, who she knows from school days and yet is willing to put all that on the back-burners to avoid your irrational jealousy, unnecessary competition and your inherent insecurities;

Yes, she can drink and dance just as well as you can, but won't, simply
Because you won't like it, even though you say otherwise

One, who can be late from work once in a while whendeadlines, just like yours, are to be met;

One, who is doing her level best and wants to make this most important,
relationship in her entire life a grand success, if you just help her some
and trust her;

One, who just wants one thing from you, as you are the only one she knows in your entire house - your unstinted support, your sensitivities and most importantly - your understanding, or love, if you may call it.

But not many guys understand this......

Please appreciate "HER"

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Most important part of the Body

My mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is.
Through the years I would take a guess at what I thought was the correct Answer.

When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, 'My ears, Mommy.'

She said, 'No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon.'

Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer.

So this time I told her, 'Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes.'

She looked at me and told me, 'You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind.'

Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years,
Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, 'No. But you are getting smarter every year, my child.'

Then one year, my grandfather died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that especially because it was only the
second time I saw him cry.

My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final good-bye to my Grandfather. She asked me, 'Do you know the most important body part
yet, my dear?' I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me..
She saw the confusion on my face and told me, 'This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in your life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why.

But today is the day you need to learn this important lesson.'

She looked down at me as only a mother can. I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, 'My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder.'

I asked, 'Is it because it holds up my head?'

She replied, 'No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it.'

Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one.
It is made for others and not for yourself. It is sympathetic to the pain of others.

People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did . But people will NEVER forget how you made them feel.

The origination of this letter is unknown, but it brings a blessing to everyone who passes it on. Good friends are like stars...You don't always see them, but you always know they are there.

Farewell for my friend

I could easily foretell
You had something to tell
As you dropped a stinking bombshell
Farewell, farewell my friend
With words I spell
It all out in a nutshell

Farewell, farewell my friend
What else can I say?
When you take off today for good
Farewell I say with a broken mood
Farewell there goes my wedding bell
Farewell there goes your innocent smell
Farewell there goes our fun in and out of hotels
Farewell I hope that life treats you well

Farewell in your ventures
Our spent time is my treasure
Your heart must wander to where it belongs
Friend, I only urge you to be strong
With love you can simply do no wrong
I say it with these words tipping off my tongue

Farewell, farewell my friend
I am a great believer
Farewell is not forever
I say not goodbye
I do not wish to sit and cry

Farewell, farewell my friend
What else can I say?
You weren’t meant to stay
I will do nothing to detain
You from flying on that plane

Farewell, farewell my friend
I say with pain
Farewell, farewell my friend
In sunshine or in rain
One day, one day
I know we’ll see again

Farewell, farewell my friend
I cannot stand and pretend
That a part me
With you, would still like to be!

Human brain analysis

Women - Multiple process

Women's brain is designed to concentrate multiple tasks at a time Women can Watch a TV and Talk over phone and cook the new recipe.

Men - Single Process

Men's brain designed to concentrate only one work at a time . Men cannot watch a TV and talk over the phone at the same time. He stops the TV while Talking. He can either watch TV or talk overthe phone or cook.

LANGUAGE.

Women can easily learn many languages . Her brain sets up. But cannot find the solutions to problems.
Men cannot easily learn languages; he can easily solve the problems.
A 3 year old gal has three times higher vocabulary than a 3 year old boy.

ANALYTICAL SKILL

Men's brain has lot of space for handling the analytical process . So easily he can analyze and find the solution for a process.
He can design (blue print) a map of a building easily.
If a complex map is viewed by women, she cannot understand it. She cannot understand the details of the map easily.
For her it is dump of lines in a paper.

CAR DRIVING.

While driving a car, men's analytical spaces are used in his brain. He can drive a car fast. If he see an object at long distance, immediately his brain classifies the object's (bus or van or car) direction and speed of the object and drive accordingly. Where as women take a long time to recognize the object direction/ speed. His single process mind stops the audio in the car (if any), then concentrating only on the driving.
You can often watch, while men driving the car fast, the women sit next to him will shout, "GO SLOW" , "CARE FULL", "AAHHH", "OHH GOD.." ..etc..

LIE

Many times, when men lie to women face to face, they get caught easily .
Her super natural brain observes the facial expression 70%, and the body language 20% and the words coming from the mouth 10%. So he is easily caught while lying.
Men's brain does not have this.
Women easily lie to men face to face .
So guys, While lying to your girls, use phone, or letter or close all the lights or cover your/her face with blanket..

PROBLEM.

End of day, if men have lot of problems, his brain clearly classifies the problems and puts the problems in individual rooms in the brain and then finds the solution one by one.
You can see many guys looking at the sky for a long time. If you disturb him, he gets irritated.
End of Day, if women have lot of problems, her brain can not classify the problems. she wants some one to hear that. After telling everything to a person she goes happily to bed. She does not worry about the problem being solved or not.

WANTS

Men want STATUS, SUCCESS , solutions, big process... etc
Women want RELATIONSHIP , friends, family...etc...

UNHAPPY

If women are unhappy with their relations, they can not concentrate on work.
If menare unhappy with their work, they can not concentrate on the relations..

MAP

Men can easily locate the place in a complex map. His analytical brain does this.
While watching a cricket match in a stadium with full of crowd, men can leave his seat to tea shop and keeps everything in his mind and comes back to his seat with out problems. He uses his analytical skills space of brain.
Women can't do this. They often lose their way to their seat.

LIFE

Life is very easy to Men. One good job,( One alcohol bottle is enough for them - Optional )
Women want everything in life.

SPEECH

Women use indirect languages in speech.
Merlin asked Sam, "Sam do you like to have a cup of coffee?"
This means, Merlin wants a cup of coffee.

Men use direct language. "Merlin, I want to have a cup of coffee, Pls stop the car when you see a coffee shop".

HANDLING EMOTION

Women talk a lot without thinking.
Men act a lot with out thinking.
That's why many of prisoners are men all over the world.

How to Marry the Right Person

              Finding Miss or Mr. Right is not always an easy thing to do. Once you think you've found the right person, you may have doubts. Having doubts about who you are marrying is not only normal, having doubts is healthy.
              Hopefully you already know that you shouldn't marry someone who drinks too much, spends too much, works too much, brags too much, uses drugs or other illegal behavior, or is unfaithful, cruel, or dishonest.        

Happiness and Emotional Support

 

Although expecting a spouse to make you feel happy all the time is unreasonable, being with the right person can bring happiness and a sense of personal strength to your life.

• You will know you are marrying the right person when you feel support and encouragement about your own growth both emotionally and intellectually. The right person will want you to be emotionally healthy and able to stand on your own two feet. When you are with the right person you will feel good about yourself, safe, and fulfilled.
  
• The right person will not be negative, selfish, wishy washy, silent, embarrassing, critical, or a slob. Why spend your life with a jerk? 
• You will know you are marrying the right person if your future spouse says "I love you" not only in words spoken, but by loving actions. We define loving actions as doing things such as noticing when you are tired, remembering your birthday, wanting to spend time with you, listening to you, showing you respect, calling if you are running late, showing you affection, being patient with you if you don't understand something, kissing you hello and goodbye, and hugging you for no special reason. 
• The right person is someone who you like and who is your friend. The right person will enjoy spending time with you.Your love and your marriage will slowly fade if the two of you are not friends
• .Having different likes and different opinions is okay as long as the two of you agree to disagree. Although you may not always agree with one another.
•  Understanding that the only constant in life is change, the right person is willing to discuss marriage issues, questions, and topics with you both before and after you get married.  
• The right person will encourage you to make decisions to live a healthy lifestyle by eating healthier foods and getting exercise. The right person will want to work with you to balance your work and personal lives.
• Feeling as if you are the only one picking things up around the house or taking care of the kids can get old. The right person is willing to share in the responsibilities of your home and future children.
• The right person will trust you,share with you and not monitor you,.
• You shouldn't have to defend wanting privacy or time alone. You will know you are marrying the right person when you are not questioned about your need for time alone or personal space. 

ONE BEDROOM FLAT…

A Bitter Reality WRITTEN BY AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER..

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true.

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.

My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.

I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald’s and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.

In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA.

My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing.

After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.

Every year I decide to go to India… But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn’t get any holidays and thus could not go to India … The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rights the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.

After couple more years passed away, much to my children’s dislike and my wife’s joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA…

My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in India… My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife I would be back for good after two years.

Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA… I decided that had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to India… I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes

I wondered was it worth all this?

My father, even after staying in India,

Had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.

I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.

Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.

But the question

still

remains ‘was all this worth it?’

I am still searching for an answer……………..!!!

START THINKING

IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???

LIFE IS BEYOND THIS …..DON’T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE ……..

START LIVING IT …….

LIVE IT AS YOU WANT IT TO BE …….

Ten commandments of life

1). Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.


2).  So why a Car's WINDSHIELD is so large & the Rear view Mirror is so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, Look Ahead and Move on.


3). Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4). All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

5). Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! Because to hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!

6). Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!

7). When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8). A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"


9). When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.


10). WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today's PEACE.

Good Story of Narayana Murty & Sudha Murty

An excellent and Great Love Story of Narayana Murthy (Infosys Founder) and Sudha (From Sudha's Autobiography) - pls dont miss it

Love Story of Narayana Murthy (Infosys Founder) and Sudha (From Sudha's Autobiography)

It was in Pune that I met Narayan Murty through my friend Prasanna who is now the Wipro chief, who was also training in Telco(TataMotors). Most of the books that Prasanna lent me had Murty's name on them which meant that I had a preconceived image of the man. Contrary to expectation, Murty was shy,bespectacled and an introvert. When he invited us for dinner. I was a bit taken aback as I thought the young man was making a very fast move. I refused since I was the only girl in the group. But Murty was relentless and we all decided to meet for dinner the next day at 7.30 p.m .. at Green Fields hotel on the Main Road ,Pune.

The next day I went there at 7' o ! clock since I had to go to the tailor near the hotel. And what do I see? Mr. Murty waiting in front of the hotel and it was only seven. Till today, Murty maintains that I had mentioned (consciously!) that I would be going to the tailor at 7 so that I could meet him... And I maintain that I did not say any such thing consciously or unconsciously because I did not think of Murty as anything other than a friend at that stage. We have agreed to disagree on this matter.

Soon, we became friends. Our conversations were filled with Murty's experiences abroad and the books that he has read. My friends insisted that Murty as trying to impress me because he was interested in me. I kept denying it till one fine day, after dinner Murty said, I want to tell you something. I knew this was it. It was coming. He said, I am 5'4" tall. I come from a lower middle class family. I can never become rich in my life an! d I can never give you any riches. You are beautiful, bright, and intelligent and you can get anyone you want. But will you marry me? I asked Murty to give me some time for an answer. My father didn't want me to marry a wannabe politician, (a communist at that) who didn't have a steady job and wanted to build an orphanage...

When I went to Hubli I told my parents about Murty and his proposal. My mother was positive since Murty was also from Karnataka, seemed intelligent and comes from a good family. But my father asked: What's his job, his salary, his qualifications etc? Murty was working as a research assistant and was earning less than me. He was willing to go dutch with me on our outings. My parents agreed to meet Murty in Pune on a particular day at10 a. m sharp. Murty did not turn up. How can I trust a man to take care of my daughter if he cannot keep an appointment, asked my father.

At 12noon Murty turned up in a bright red shirt! He had gone on work to Bombay , was stuck in a traffic jam on the ghats, so he hired a taxi(though it was very expensive for him) to meet his would-be father-in-law. Father was unimpressed. My father asked him what he wanted to become in life.

Murty said he wanted to become a politician in the communist party and wanted to open an orphanage. My father gave his verdict. NO. I don't want my daughter to marry somebody who wants to become a communist and then open an orphanage when he himself didn't have money to support his family.

Ironically, today, I have opened many orphanages something, which Murty wanted to do 25 years ago. By this time I realized I had developed a liking towards Murty which could only be termed as love. I wanted to marry Murty because he is an honest man. He proposed to me highlighting the negatives in his life. I promised my father that I will not marry Murty without his blessings though at the same time, I cannot marry anybody else. My father said he would agree if Murty promised to take up a steady job. But Murty refused saying he will not do things in life because somebody wanted him to. So, I was caught between the two most important people in my life.

The stalemate continued for three years during which our courtship took us to every restaurant and cinema hall in Pune. In those days, Murty was always broke. Moreover, he didn't earn much to manage. Ironically today, he manages Infosys Technologies Ltd., one of the world's most reputed companies. He always owed me money. We used to go for dinner and he would say, I don't have money with me, you pay my share, I will return it to you later. For three years I maintained a book on Murty's debt to me.. No, he never returned the money and I finally tore it up after my wedding.

The amount was a little over Rs 4000. During this interim period Murty quit his job as research assistant and started his own software business. Now, I had to pay his salary too! Towards the late 70s computers were entering India in a big way.

During the fag end of 1977 Murty decided to take up a job as General Manager at Patni computers in Bombay .. But before he joined the company he wanted to marry me since he was to go on training to the US after joining. My father gave in as he was happy Murty had a decent job, now.

WE WERE MARRIED IN MURTY'S HOUSE IN BANGALORE ON FEBRUARY 10, 1978 WITH ONLY OUR TWO FAMILIES PRESENT.I GOT MY FIRST SILK SARI. THE WEDDING EXPENSES CAME TO ONLY RS 800 (US $17) WITH MURTY AND I POOLING IN RS 400 EACH.

I went to the US with Murty after marriage. Murty encouraged me to see America on my own because I loved travelling. I toured America for three months on backpack and had interesting experiences which will remain fresh in my mind forever. Like the time when the New York police took me into custody because they thought I was an Italian trafficking drugs in Harlem . Or the time when I spent the night at the bottom of the Grand Canyon with an old couple. Murty panicked because he couldn't get a response from my hotel room even at midnight. He thought I was either killed or kidnapped.


IN 1981 MURTY WANTED TO START INFOSYS. HE HAD A VISION AND ZERO CAPITAL...initially I was very apprehensive about Murty getting into business. We did not have any business background ... Moreover we were living a comfortable life in Bombay with a regular pay check and I didn't want to rock the boat. But Murty was passionate about creating good quality software. I decided to support him. Typical of Murty, he just had a dream and no money. So I gave him Rs 10,000 which I had saved for a rainy day, without his knowledge and told him, This is all I have. Take it. I give you three years sabbatical leave. I will take care of the
financial needs of our house. You go and chase your dreams without any worry. But you
have only three years!

Murty and his six colleagues started Infosys in 1981,with enormous interest and hard work. In 1982 I left Telco and moved to Pune with Murty. We bought a small house on loan which also became the Infosys office. I was a clerk-cum-cook-cum-programmer. I also took up a job as Senior Systems Analyst with Walchand group of Industries to support the house.

In 1983 Infosys got their first client, MICO, in Bangalore . Murty moved to Bangalore and stayed with his mother while I went to Hubli to deliver my second child, Rohan. Ten days after my son was born, Murty left for the US on project work. I saw him only after a year, as I was unable to join Murty in the US because my son had infantile eczema, an allergy to vaccinations. So for more than a year I did not step outside our home for fear of my son contracting an infection. It was only after Rohan got all his vaccinations that I came to Bangalore where we rented a small house in Jayanagar and rented another house as Infosys headquarters. My father
presented Murty a scooter to commute. I once again became a cook, programmer, clerk,
secretary, office assistant et al. Nandan Nilekani (MD of Infosys) and his wife Rohini stayed with us. While Rohini babysat my son, I wrote programs for Infosys. There was no car, no phone, and just two kids and a bunch of us working hard, juggling our lives and having fun while Infosys was taking shape. It was not only me but also the wives of other partners too who gave their unstinted support. We all knew that our men were trying to build something good.

It was like a big joint family, taking care and looking out for one another. I still remember Sudha Gopalakrishna looking after my daughter Akshata with all care and love while Kumari Shibulal cooked for all of us. Murty made it very clear that it would either be me or him working at Infosys. Never the two of us together... I was involved with Infosys initially.

Nandan Nilekani suggested I should be on the Board but Murty said he did not want a husband and wife team at Infosys. I was shocked since I had the relevant experience and technical qualifications. He said, Sudha if you want to work with Infosys, I will withdraw, happily. I was pained to know that I will not be involved in the company my husband was building and that I would have to give up a job that I am qualified to do and love doing.

It took me a couple of days to grasp the reason behind Murty's request..I realized that to make Infosys a success one had to give one's 100 percent. One had to be focussed on it alone with no other distractions. If the two of us had to give 100 percent to Infosys then what would happen to our home and our children? One of us had to take care of our home while the other took care of Infosys.

I opted to be a homemaker, after all Infosys was Murty's dream. It was a big sacrifice but it was one that had to be made. Even today, Murty says, Sudha, I stepped on your career to make mine. You are responsible for my success.

My First Date

I still remember the first date I ever went on in my life. Usually
first dates are memorable to everyone but for me it was something
that I can never forget. I went out for my first date with my high
school crush when I was in class eleven. It was a day that I planned
for weeks and finally she, Rachna, agreed to come out with me,
Prasun Roy! In school who was famous for being a person with a cool
attitude with no constraints from the family end, whose parents were
more of buddies than dominating guardians! However the fact remained
that I too was from a middle class family with core values and
principles like all others.

Back home I lied to my parents that I was going out for a school
excursion and managed to get the approval of my parents and finally
the day arrived.

After a short lunch at a funky restaurant, Rachna and I went hand in
hand for a movie. As the evening was drawing to a close we were
roaming in the streets of "New Market" talking to each other, about
each other. Life suddenly seemed so beautiful.

All of a sudden, out of the forgotten multitude that was also
walking in the same street, I could see a familiar face quite
distinct- why I didn't know. As realization embraced my
consciousness, I comprehended that the face of the person
approaching me from the other side was of none other than but my
FATHER!

Within a fraction of a second all romanticism vanished from my heart
and a fear engrossed it instead. I could interpret in that short
time the amount of humility and shame I would face suddenly as my
father would recognize me, scold me after we meet, and that was
inevitable! Apart from the scorn that I would face at home, I could
also feel the embarrassment I would face in front of Rachna, who
recognized as the cool guy ... in school as well as back home!

Crippled with the fear I only prayed that the earth would open up
and I would hide there from all the humility. However there seemed
no practical escape from it. Then some thing happened.

My father came near me, along with the now not-so-forgotten
multitude, looked into my eyes as a stranger and passed by me
rubbing his shoulder against mine and passed by without even
recognizing me. It was the biggest shock and relief of my life. I
still don't know which emotion was predominant at that moment.

After sometime, Rachna went away to her home oblivious of the fact
what ever I just revealed, and I came back to mine.

At home that night, life seemed to me like a prison. I went for
dinner with a fearful heart and a lost appetite. To my surprise,
everything was so very normal. My mother served dinner and we all
ate the usual way. This made my life more miserable. I quickly
finished my food and went back to my room. Questions crowded my mind
and I couldn't figure out what might have happened after my father
came back home and revealed about my forged romantic rendezvous. Why
everything was still so normal pained my mind even more!

Presently my father calmly came into my room and sat beside me. I
looked into his eyes with fear in mine but discovered a smooth
comfort in his! He soothingly asked, "So Sunny Boy, how was your
date, I must say she was a pretty and sweet lady!"

Like somewhat mesmerized I revealed everything to him about my first
date and added, "Dad, it was simply out of this world, but the day
passed away like a few minutes only!"

He smiled and said, "You know what, Albert Einstein once said ...
Put your hand on a hot oven for a minute and it would seem like and
hour; put your hand upon those of a pretty lady for an hour and it
would seem like a minute! Now that's relativity. Its all relative,
the fact is how much you cherish what you gained ... RIGHT! This is
the biggest lesson of life my son"

I had never seen my father being like this before; he was more of a
buddy than my guardian actually. I could feel within me that I would
never ever be able to hide anything else from him, he actually
understood me much more than my own self.

We talked for an hour and I would remember those words forever
perhaps! I couldn't interpret whether it was my First Date with my
dream girl or the First Date of knowing my father actually. However
I knew that I realized how much I loved and respected my father
after that. Just as he was leaving my room I called him and
said "Thank You daddy! Thank you so much!"

Both of us knew what I was thankful for and required no mentioning.
He turned towards me with his dreamy eyes and said these words...

"Hey son, how could I ever let you down my child, never! I would
just say, whatever happens in life and whomever you love in your
life and to whatever degree, you only remember one thing that your
Daddy has loved you 18 years more than that. 18 years more than that
dear!"

He switched off the light and went to his room. In the mild blue and
gray of the moonlight ushering into my room through the window I too
could feel one thing ... Yes, its truly 18 more years of Love, I, or
any child, can never ever cover up! It was in fact my First Date,
the first one of actually realizing the Love I had taken for granted
for all those Eighteen Years perhaps! It truly was so.

9 Promises Should Be Taken Before Choosing Software Field

1) I have already enjoyed my life in childhood

2) I love tension

3) I don’t want to spend time wid my friends

4) I love night duties

5) I love to work on Sundays and holidays

6) I want to take revenge on myself

7) I don’t want to get married b4 30 yrs of age

8) I want to study until my death

9) I don’t want hair on my head

Two-friends

Good Morning Class, Today we have a new student among us, her name is
Samyuktha" announced the class teacher "Samyuktha come here, introduce
yourself to the class"

Samyuktha a 12 year old girl, with fair complexion skin and a neatly
pleated
hair on either side of her head was sitting in the one corner of the class.
She slowly got up from her seat. Each one of the student in class started
staring at her. With all those stares, new faces, new city, new school, she
was scared to death. She moved slowly to where her teacher was standing and
faced the class with lowered head as if it were a punishment.

"Samyuktha introduce yourself to class. Why are you lowering your head?
Stand straight up. Don't waste the time of the class" said teacher somewhat
sternly.

"My name is Samyuktha..I..I...I know no English much..i..i.." said
samyuktha
with a very feeble voice.

The whole class started giggling and started hush-hushing comments on
Samyuktha. The teacher asked Samyuktha to go back to her seat hearing the
commotion in the class and asked the class to be quite. Samyuktha almost
had tears in her eyes. She was lost in her own world for the rest of the class.

During Interval she sat alone at her desk, looking at her book but not
looking at the words but thinking about the world she left back in her
small town, Varanasi. "Hi" said a voice. Samyuktha looked up to see a girl
standing there. She was slightly dark complexioned, with a smiling face,
and had hair exactly like Samyuktha's.

"I am Prachi, your classmate. Why are you not having lunch?" said prachi.

"a..umm..i not feeling hungry much." replied Samyuktha.

"Why not? Common I know you felt bad when the class laughed at you. Even I
felt bad but don't care about them. If you don't eat, you will become sick.
Did you bring your lunch box?" said Prachi.

Samyuktha felt a sense of relief after hearing what Prachi said and started
feeling hungry too.

"Yes I brought. Will you eat with me?"asked Samyuktha..

"Yes sure. Lets go outside and eat. We will have some fresh air" said
prachi and took samyuktha's hand and went outside the class to a playground. Both
sat and started eating together. They shared a bit of each others lunch
too.

"so, you miss your old school..isnt it?" asked prachi.


"Yes a lot. I am from Varanasi. Daddy got transfer here. I got no admission
here as my English is poor but daddy gave donation and I got admission..i
will fail sure" said samyuktha sadly.


"Oh don't be sad Samyuktha. I will help you. You will learn everything
easily. Where is your house?" asked Prachi.


"In Vasant Kunj, Phase-1" said Samyuktha. "hey even I stay in same place!"
said Prachi happily.

"Is it." Said Samyuktha gladly.


"Yes, now don't worry at all. We both can study together." Said Prachi
assuring Samyuktha.


"Hey can I call you Samyu?" asked prachi..

"Yes sure, my friends in Varanasicall me with same name. I am happy" said
Samyuktha with a glitter in her eyes. Thus the friendship between Prachi
and Samyuktha started in the 6th standard/grade which grew manifold during the
years to come.

Samyuktha had an intelligent mind which needed some shining and polishing
whereas Prachi was a creative person. Samyuktha and Prachi became best
friends during their first year together itself. They were totally
inseparable. Due to them, both the families of Samyuktha and Prachi too
became good family friends. Samyuktha just about managed to clear her 6th
grade but later with Prachi's support she became more and more confidant.
Prachi used to force Samyuktha to be a flamboyant and aggressive in school
activities which boosted Samyuktha's inner confidence. Samyuktha overcame
all her inhibitions within few years. Prachi was very jovial and used to
crack jokes which Samyuktha cherished. The whole class used to be jealous
of  their friendship. Samyuktha and Prachi both excelled with good marks in
their 12th standard and both got admission in B.tech in DelhiUniversity.


Through all these years Samyuktha became very outgoing person. She was now
no more the person which she was 6years ago. She became a smart, stylish
and trendy by the time she turned 18. Prachi on the other hand remained same.
Prachi still doted on Samyuktha and was very possessive about her.
Samyuktha started drawing lot of attention in college. Due to her looks and attitude,
boys went crazy for her on the other hand Prachi was not at all
approachable and she hardly cared about her looks. Samyuktha started loving the
attention showered on her from her B.tech classmates. She participated in a fashion
parade in College's annual function and with that she became an instant hit
through out the college. Prachi always used to pull back Samyuktha to the
ground and asked her not to neglect her studies. Other than Prachi,
Samyuktha started having her own circle of friends in college. When Prachi
and Samyuktha were together, Samyuktha's friends used to talk to her but
didn't give much attention to Prachi. Samyuktha did try to mingle Prachi
with her other friends but Prachi didn't show much interest. There were lot
of times when Samyuktha bunked her classes and Prachi used to make a copy
of notes for Samyuktha too. As Samyuktha became more and more involved in
other activities of college rather than studies, Prachi became too much involved
with her academics and had very few friends or one can say acquaintances
other than Samyuktha. During 2nd year of B.tech, Prachi and Samyuktha
started having some arguments and fights. Samyuktha wanted to enjoy the
college life with fun and being naughty sometimes. Prachi on the other hand
didn't approve with Samyuktha's thinking.


It was during 3rd year of college when Aakash, the 4th year B.tech student
entered Samyuktha's life. He was supposed to be the most handsome guy of
the college. Aakash had the looks of a model with a very sexy voice due to
which he used to compere most of the college shows. Aakash came in touch with
Samyuktha through some common friends and instantly fell in love with her.
Samyuktha, was on top of the world when she came to know about Aakash's
feelings. With Samyuktha and Aakash's love affair going strong, Prachi
distanced more and more from Samyuktha. Prachi hated Aakash to the core and
blamed him for ruining the friendship between her and Samyuktha. Samyuktha
who was blind in love, didn't understand the feelings of Prachi. During 3rd
and 4th year of college, Samyuktha and Prachi rarely used to spend
together.
Going to each others homes became almost null. Samyuktha started suspecting
Prachi to be jealous of her on the other hand Prachi used to miss Samyuktha
and longed for her to be like her old school friend.
One day during the 4th year of her college, Prachi was alone in her room
and was crying looking at the old photos and greeting cards which she got from
Samyuktha for different occasions.

"Prachi what happened? Why are you crying?" asked Prachi's mom with worried
look.

"Nothing..its just that" said Prachi trying to wipe of the tears from her
cheeks.


"Kya hua beta..something wrong in college?" said Prachi's mom


With that Prachi hugged her mom and started sobbing.

"arey arey..what is this..i never saw you crying this way..tell me what
happened..did Samyuktha say something to u?" asked Prachi's mom. Prachi's
mom observed the growing distance between Prachi and Samyuktha but she
never
talked about it with Prachi.

"mom..why do people change in college..why do we get old..school days used
to be so good" said Prachi between her sobs.

"beta..thats life..there's a saying "the only thing which remains constant
is change"..you are not a small girl now..you should understand this..going
to college, getting married, getting career, getting old..all this is part
of life..you should learn to accept this.."said Prachi's mom caressing p's
hair.

"No I will never marry in my life for sure. I cannot accept tha some
outsider comes and changes other relationships in life. I will not let that
happen to my life" said Prachi strongly.

Prachi's mom chose not to argue with her at that time and hoped time will
change her attitude towards life.

"Mom you know this year Samyu forgot to wish me on my birthday. Since that
Aakash came into her life, nothing else is important to her. And tomorrow
its her birthday and I don't feel like wishing her either" said Prachi

"Why not..thats wrong..you should wish her..if you don't wish her there
wont
be difference between you and her. May be after u wish she will realize her
mistake. You should atleast give a try to revive your old friendship." Said
Prachi's mom convincing Prachi to call Samyuktha.

When clock struck 12, Prachi decided to call Samyuktha and dialed her
mobile number. Her mobile was engaged. She tried calling 3-4 times more but still
her line was busy. When it was almost 12:30 A.M she thought of calling her
landline but she held back fearing everybody at her home might get
disturbed. Prachi knew that Samyuktha might be busy talking with Aakash and
hated him more. Next day Samyu didn't turn up at college either. After
college, she went straight to Samyuktha's house with a greeting card and a
small painting which she herself did. Samyuktha was not at home as well,
when confronted with her parents..

"Hey Prachi, Samyu is not with you?" asked Samyukhtha's mom.

"uh...No..Infact I came here to wish her" said Prachi

"She said she will go with you to Aakash's home. Aakash is leaving to US
today. She said she will see him off to the airport and that you will
accompany her" said samyuktha's mother with a angry tone.

"hmm oh, actually I was late to college today..may be that's why she went
alone" said Prachi knowing that Samyuktha would have definetly not taken
her
along to meet Aakash and that she simply bluffed her parents. "Anyway
aunty,
once she comes, give her this card and gift" continued Prachi.

On the way back home Prachi felt happy that Aakash is leaving Indiabut at
the same time felt bad that she was not able to wish Samyuktha personally.

Next day in the college, Prachi was eagerly waiting for Samyuktha to come.
She wanted to see how she reacted for the card and gift. As soon as
Samyuktha entered the class, everybody in the class started wishing her
belated birthday greetings. Many of them showered gifts to her. She greeted
them all with a sad smile. Prachi guessed it must be because Aakash left to
US. After that Samyuktha came to Prachi with a serious expression on her
face..

"So, you must be very happy now?" said Samyuktha.

Prachi was puzzled, but then she immediately remembered that her parents
might have caught her lying to them. "Samyu I had no idea about your plan
yesterday" said Prachi with innocent look.

"Oh don't be so innocent Prachi. The whole class knew I was with Aakash
yesterday.

Since last 5 months you never came to my house. Suddenly you came home
yesterday to spoil my day. That was your plan" accused samyuktha

Prachi was shocked with Samyuktha's behavior and was almost in tears "No,
what will I gain with this Samyu. You are my only friend. I tried calling
you day before yesterday night to wish you at 12 but your line was
constantly busy. Yesterday nobody informed me about your plan."

"C'mon Prachi. I know how much you are jealous of me since I met Aakash.
Prachi you should go and get some life. I never thought that you would come
down to such cheap tricks. Thanks to you my parents have stopped trusting
on
me" said Samyuktha and left the class fuming.


Prachi stood there with tears and embarrassed with all the stares towards
her in the class. The whole class saw what happened between Prachi and
Samyuktha. After that incident almost everybody stopped talking to Prachi.
Prachi remained aloof from everybody even outside the college. She remained
to her self and kept herself busy with studies. After 6 months, college was
over and since then Prachi and Samyuktha never met.

Soon after graduation Prachi started searching for jobs and almost
immediately she was placed in TCS, Bangalore. Prachi didn't knew what
happened to Samyuktha and didn't care to find out. She moved to
Bangaloreimmediately and took an apartment all by for herself. She lived
alone. In office she used to talk with others when only it was required for
work. She was not friendly with anybody. She used to eat alone in the
office
canteen. Everybody in the office used to call her with different names like
'sadist', 'psycho','poor thing'..etc etc. Life went on.

2 years later, one fine day early in the morning at around 7:00 AM Prachi
heard the door bell. She looked at her watch and wondered who would be
ringing the bell at this time. She just got up to get ready for the office.
She went and opened the door to see a young man standing there with a small
bowl in his hand. He was about 6 feet height with curly hair and lean
figure
and good features. Prachi looked at him with red face.

"Hi..umm..i am Mayank, your new neighbor" said Mayank.
"So...."said Prachi with irritation.
"I am sorry, actually I came to borrow some sugar. I moved in this
apartment
today morning. I have the habit of drinking tea early in the morning..so if
you plz don't mind can u plz lend some teaspoons of sugar" said mayank with
pleading eyes.
"So..for your tea..you disturb other people early in the morning" said
Prachi and started closing her door.

'Plz plz plz don't close the door..if I don't have tea in the morning I get
sick.. I tried many other doors, but only you opened it..plz ' pleaded
Mayank once again.
Prachi closed the door on the face of Mayank and he stood there stand still
for a minute and started moving to his apartment when he heard the click of
the door open from his behind. He looked back to see Prachi standing there
with Sugar bottle in her hand.
"Hey..thank u so much..errr...i thought..u got angry...u saved my life..u
know"
said mayank gladly.
"How many teaspoons do u want?" said Prachi seriously ignoring the
excitement of Mayank.
"umm..oh..umm..2 spoons" said Mayank somewhat embarrassed.

Prachi took 2 teaspoons of sugar and poured it in the bowl of Mayank and
without a word went back inside the home closing the door behind
"Thank you" said Mayank to the closed door!

Prachi got ready for the office and left the home exactly at 8.45am as she
used to do daily. Her day in the office went on as usual and at one
instance
while having tea she remembered the early morning incident. She realized
she
doesn't even remember the face of the guy clearly

Back at the home at around 8pm she heard her door bell ringing again. When
she opened, she realized it's the same morning guy standing outside.

"Now what??" said Prachi again irritated.

"Actually I bought the sugar in the afternoon...so thought of giving you
back
your 2 spoons of sugar which u gave me......" said Mayank with little
naughtiness in his eyes.

"Whaaaat" said Prachi with disbelief.


"Here your 2 spoons of sugar" said mayank again bringing the small bowl in
his hand towards her.

"Godddd..wait...here" said Prachi and closed the door. She went back inside
the home to her kitchen and came back with Sugar bottle. When she opened
the
door, Mayank was still standing there waiting for her.


"Here now put that sugar inside this bottle" said Prachi handing over the
bottle to Mayank.


Mayank pours down the sugar in the bottle.


"Ok..Anything else?" Said Prachi with an angry tone.

"Nope..thats it..thank you for lending me sugar in the morning..otherwise I
would have been dead by now" grinned Mayank

"Its ok. Goodnight!" said Prachi somewhat mellowing down and closed the
door.


Prachi felt amused by the behavior of Mayank and the fact that he came to
return back the two spoons of sugar.

"Was he trying to impress me" thought Prachi..."Anyway good, I didn't give
him
any kind of that impression..now he will never approach me again"


Next day after coming back from work, again her door bell rang. Prachi
somehow suspected it must be Mayank again and she was right.

"What??" Said Prachi hardly opening the door enough.

"umm..i am sorry...umm..to disturb u again..actually I need to make an
urgent
call to my parents in Bombay. I don't know why but my mobile is not
activated yet. So, can I please make a call from your phone?" asked Mayank.




"Good lord..there are thousand PCO's outside this apartment..why don't u go
and call from there?" said Prachi annoyed.


"Actually there's only one PCO nearby and today that is closed due to ID
festival..i went and enquired and the next one is 3kms from here..well it
was urgent..otherwise I am sorry I wouldn't have disturbed you" said Mayank
with pleading eyes again.


"huh..wait I will bring my mobile.." said prachi and closed the door behind
, again to come back with her mobile.


Mayank takes the fone and moves little far away from her. Prachi stands
there for a while and then goes back inside the home, with door almost
closed. After a short while she hears a knock on her door.


"Thank you so much..i cant tell you..how grateful I am today..had it been
not your Mobile..i would have not known that in khichdi I need to add 3
glasses of water for 1 cup of rice.." said mayank happily


"Whaatttttt...your urgent call was about khichdi???" said Prachi somewhat
angrily.


"umm..yaa...u know..i love the khichdi which my mom makes..so..anyway..here
take this 10rs for the STD call" said mayank handing over a 10 rupee note
to
Prachi.


Prachi takes 10Rs note without a word and hopes not to create any good
image
of herself in front of him.

"Hey thanks a lot..for everything Prachi" said Mayank


"How do you know my name?" said Prachi with surprise.

"Well you wrote Prachi on your Mobile's screen" smiled Mayank.


"Ok..goodnight" said Prachi and closed the door.


"There is something peculiar with this man..." thought Prachi again.
Through
out that day and next day Prachi kept thinking about Mayank and felt bad
that he was coming again and again in her thoughts. She tried her best to
remind herself that she should not fall into any kind of distractions in
her
life. There is no place for a man in her life.





Till next couple of days she never met Mayank but he never went out of her
mind. She was angry that she was thinking about him how much ever she tried
avoiding. One day again in the evening she heard her door bell. She was in
kitchen cooking dinner for herself and when the door bell rang, she ran
into
the bathroom to comb her hair neatly and then went to open the door .


"Hi" said Mayank with his ever charming smile.


Prachi making sure that she is not pleased seeing him asked him with
monotonous tone " yes, what do u want now?"


"nothing..today I came to give you something?" said Mayank.


"well you have given me money for the call you made from my fone last
time..now what?" said Prachi


"not that..today I made gajar ka halwa and it came out really well..so came
here to share with you some" said Mayank bringing his hand forward from
behind with a box.

Gajar ka halwa was Prachi's favourite sweet dish but she resisted from
showing any kind of positive emotion.


"see mayank..i don't know what you think about me..but I don't like such
gestures from anybody..i hardly know you..as a neighbor I helped you
..thats
all..dont expect anything else...do u understand that?..now you can
leave.."
said Prachi fighting back her inner emotions.


Mayank stood there like a rock for a minute .


"sorry Prachi..i don't consider you just as a neighbor but as a friend in
need..but ..but..i respect your privacy..today is my birthday...I don't
know
anybody else in this city..so thought to share this halwa with the first
person I came to know in this city..anyway I wont disturb you again" said
Mayank and started to leave.


After hearing that its his birthday, Prachi felt a guilt pang and stopped
him "hello..wait..umm..i am sorry..i didn't know its your birthday..Happy
Birthday" said Prachi loudly.

"Thank you" said Mayank turning back to look at her.


"Well, can I taste your Halwa..ofcourse if you are not mad at me" said
Prachi with a smile for the first time.



Mayank was surprised to look at her beautiful smiling face for the first
time and was smitten.

"Heyyy..no..not at all.." said Mayank and gave her the box he brought.

Prachi opened the box and tried some with her hand.

"ummm..it tastes great" said Prachi licking her fingers "can I keep whole
of
this box."


"oh sure.. that was for you anyway.." said Mayank "I guess I should be
leaving now".

"Ok..will return the box tomorrow..by the way happy birthday again" said
Prachi.


"umm..u know what..i was lying..its not my birthday" said Mayank and before
Prachi could say anything, he ran back upstairs to his apartment.

Prachi stood there in disbelief but later smiled at herself thinking how
easily she got fooled. She somehow didn't feel mad at Mayank later and
relished the halwa.

As usual Mayank's magic lingered on Prachi for that day and next day. When
it was time to return the box to Mayank, Prachi questioned herself whether
to go or not to go to his house to return the box. Finally she decided to
listen to her heart and braced herself to go to Mayank's house.


She pressed the door bell of Mayank's house and waited for few seconds when
Mayank opened the door.


He had a big cutlery spoon in one hand and was wearing an apron.


"Hey, what a correct timing..can u plz taste my rajma curry and let me know
if everything is ok?" saying this Mayank left her at the door went towards
his kitchen.


Prachi was standing at the door steps unable to decide whether to go in or
not. "Prachi...come in..where are you" shouted Mayank from his Kitchen.


Prachi stepped in the house and realized that this was the first time since
she came to Bangaloredid she stepped into anybody's house. She noticed, the
house was clean and neat, had decent furniture and she could listen some
soft soothing music from the speakers somewhere. Prachi walked slowly
towards the kitchen. Mayank was ready with some rajma in a small bowl and
asked her to taste it.





"ummm..its nice...everything is ok..." said Prachi after tasting the Rajma


"oh good...see my mom doesn't believe that I am good cook..i will have to
make
you talk to her one day...then only she might believe" said Mayank feeling
satisfied.


"Ok, I will leave now" said Prachi.

"Why?..i have prepared dinner for both of us." Said Mayank.


"What....?" Said prachi.

"Well I knew you would come home to return my box today and obviously you
will come little early..and also I am sure you would not have got time to
cook dinner by now" said Mayank while putting plates on the dining table.

"How were you so sure that I would come?" asked Prachi amused.


"Well I can read People's mind..after all I am a Psychiatrist" said Mayank


"Psychiatrist!!" exclaimed Prachi.


"ya why?..cant handsome men become psychiatrists?" said Mayank naughtily.


"aha..i didn't mean that" smiled Prachi "I don't know if you are lying or
telling truth..yesterday you were saying it was your birthday..now today
you
are saying you are a Psychiatrist!"


"no..seriously..i am a Psychiatrist..i don't lie on Wednesdays..u know"
said
Mayank.


"uh..u r impossible..anyway what made u believe that I will have dinner
with
you" asked Prachi


"Well, today is my birthday..and I knew you wont be able to say no" said
Mayank.

"What..plz..you think I can be fooled twice?" said Prachi

"ha ha..see I was born on 6th aug and today its 6th nov ..so its my monthly
birthday" said Mayank showing her the seat to sit.





Prachi and Mayank laughed together and started having dinner together.
Mayank was indeed a good cook and Prachi liked everything prepared by
him..no not only the food..but she realized she liked Mayank's charming
nature.

"So, what made you come to Bangalore?" asked Prachi having her sweet dish.


"I saw that this city had lot of scope for doctors like me..so I choose
this
place for my practice" said Mayank.


"Scope!" exclaimed Prachi


"yeah..you see..Bangaloreis a software hub for India..and hence more
patients for me" said Mayank with a naughty smile again.


"aha..so you mean software engineers are mad people?..Mister..Even I am a
software engineer..remember that!" said Prachi.


"Oh..is it..i never knew that beautiful gals too are becoming software
engineers" said Mayank flirtingly.


Prachi wanted to reply him back and suddenly realized that Mayank was
complementing her and gave him a smile.



"thanks" said Prachi blushing.

"thank god..you understood that" said Mayank with a twinkle in his eyes.

While Prachi was about to leave his house after dinner. Mayank asked "So at
what time should I come for dinner tomorrow at your house?"


"what?" said prachi and stared at him questioningly.


"yeah..you are a self-respect girl right..i know you will return my
dinner!!" said Mayank again with his flirting smile.


Prachi couldn't stop smiling and said "hmmm..smart..haan..come at
8pm..dinner will be ready."


After coming home , thoughts of Mayank and whatever they talked lingered in
Prachi's mind. She looked herself in mirror a thousand times. All her life
never did any guy talked to her the way, Mayank talked. She realized she
smiled and laughed so many times on that single day. Mayank did some magic
on her.


Next day she was not able to concentrate in her office work too. She was
too
busy thinking what she should prepare for dinner and what all she need to
buy to prepare food. She even tried searching some recipes on the internet.


She left office early at 5 pm and went to grocery store to buy all
vegetables and groceries to prepare dinner. She decided to make Jeera rice,
Palak Paneer, Cabbaga kofta, rotis, fruit salad and lassi. She finished off
everything by 7:30 and cleaned the kitchen and dining hall. She realized
she
never cooked so fast earlier. She dressed herself in one of her best casual
salwar suits and waited for him. Exactly at 8pm her door bell rang. She
wanted to run and open the door but she resisted and took some time to
open.


Mayank looked handsome as ever. He wore a short kurti and jeans and looked
cute.


"Wow you look wonderful" said Mayank.


"Thanks. Come in." Said Prachi blushing.


Mayank stepped into her house for first time and was soon impressed.


"You did all those paintings?" asked mayank looking at big canvas paintings
in her hall.


"Hmm..yeah..i do it for my timepass" said Prachi.


"Oh man...they don't look like timepass paintings Prachi..these are master
pieces!!" said Mayank who kept gazing at those beautiful paintings.


"Oh please...I am not a trained painter..thanks anyway..come lets have
dinner"
said Prachi.


When Mayank saw what all she prepared, he said "sorry for giving you
trouble!"

"No its fine. Cooking for one person extra is not a trouble" said Prachi
while serving food in his plate.


"Don't say that otherwise I might come everyday" said Mayank.






Prachi wanted that to happen everyday. She never felt so happy after a long
time. Throughout the dinner, Mayank kept on praising her food and she got
more and more attracted to Mayank's charm. After dinner they talked for
long
time. Mayank kept making jokes and Prachi laughed non-stop. Prachi never
realized when it was already 11:30pm.


Mayank suddenly looked at his watch and realized it was late. "Hey
..sorry..its late..i should leave..you have to get up early to the office
again tomorrow" said mayank and got up to leave.


Prachi didn't want him to leave and wanted to stop him for some more time.

"yeah..it was ...it was nice having you here today" stammered Prachi.

"really?" said Mayank

"yeah...u know..i never smiled and laughed this much before Mayank. You
brought something back which I lost long time ago." Said prachi, her eyes
were almost in tears.



Mayank kept looking at her for sometime.

"so where is my fees?" said mayank.


"Fees??" questioned Prachi.


"yeah for bringing back what u lost!" said Mayank.


"aha..so I am your first patient it seems...tell me whats urfees, I will
give
you" said Prachi with a smile.


"ummm...lets see..umm" said mayank making a thinking gesture "how about one
more dinner, this time somewhere outside"

"done" said prachi almost immediately.

"wow...that's an improvement ..i thought you would me hit" said Mayank
laughing.


And then for coming weeks they were inseparable. They met almost everyday
for dinner. Mayank and Prachi were madly in love with each other but never
expressed it to each other. Prachi started smiling more and more and became
more communicative in office with colleagues. All her colleagues were
surprised to see the change in her behavior. She even started taking care
on
what she was wearing and how she looked.



One day in a restaurant, Mayank seemed little restless.

"What happened to you today?" asked Prachi.


"Actually I wanted to tell you something..dont know how you will react!"
confessed Mayank.


Prachi suspected that he might propose her and felt little nervous deep
beneath her heart but was still waiting for this moment since long.

"Its ok Mayank..tell me...since when did u get so nervous in front of me?"
said Prachi.


"hmm..its not nervousness but..i don't want you to hate me after what I
will
tell you" said Mayank.

"Now...plz..dont keep me in suspense!!" requested Prachi not able to keep
bear
the excitement.



"Actually, few days back I read a article in a newspaper. There is going to
be a painting exhibition for new talents in Mumbai. That's going to be
conducted by Tina Ambani, wife of Anil Ambani of Reliance Industries.
Without your permission I sent your name and one of the photos of your
painting. Today I got a reply from Tina Ambani herself and she is pleased
with your painting and want that to be exhibited. I know you are going to
be
mad at me now but Prachi I want the whole world to know your talent" said
Mayank holding one of the hands of Prachi.



Prachi listened to all with complete silence. She didn't knew how to react.
She was expecting something else. She was in love with Mayank but with what
Mayank told her, she could not hold back her tears. Tears rolled over her
cheeks and she couldn't speak.

"uh..oh..sorry Prachi..i dreaded this..i didn't want to hurt you..Your
paintings were so impressive, that I felt it should not confine just within
four walls of your home. I guess I should have asked you before. I am sorry
again" said Mayank with guilty.


"uh..no no..dont say sorry Mayank..its just that..i never thought you cared
about me so much..i never realized that you felt my paintings were worth
sending to an exhibition...i..i..am surprised ...but I don't think I am
worth
it....i do it for my own pleasure.." said Prachi with chocking voice.







Mayank holding her hand tight "I already told you this before..your
painting
are master pieces and now the response from Tina Ambani herself tells you
what you are worth of. Prachi you should learn to be proud of your own
talent..you really don't know what you are worth of..."



After a 2 minutes of silence. "I don't know Mayank..how to thank you for
all
this...how will I be able to return the favour" said Prachi.



"The fact that you are not mad at mr after hearing this, is itself a big
favor" said Mayank smiling "And the by the way, there would be competition
too in that exhibition and whoever wins, will get a sum of Rs 5lakhs and a
contract to do the painting of Reliance's New office in Mumbai."


"oh is it...that sounds interesting..i hope you wont ask 5lakhs in return
of
favour" said Prachi teasingly.


"ha ha..may be" said Mayank.


Mayank took care of logistics of sending Paintings to Mumbai. All 5 of her
paintings were selected for exhibition. Prachi and Mayank both went to
Mumbai together on the day of the opening of the exhibition. There were
total of 25 paintings altogether. Prachi was nervous to talk to Tina Ambani
but Mayank stood beside her and gave his support. Prachi and Mayank could
notice that Prachi's painting caught most of the attention from viewers.
Prachi and Mayank spent that day in Mumbai doing shopping and sight-seeing.
She couldn't believe she was with Mayank for whole day. They were hardly in
their hotel rooms and were roaming around till 2 am midnight. When they
came
back to their hotel, they were both tired and dozed of almost immediately
in
their respective rooms. They returned back to Bangalorenext day by early
morning flight. Exhibition was held for 2 more weeks and results were out
the last day. As expected Prachi's paintings won the first place.


Mayank was ecstatic with the news and Prachi was more pleased to see Mayank
happy than winning the actual award. Calls didn't stop pouring in Prachi's
phone that day. Her office was proud of her after hearing the news.
Prachi's
parents were both surprised and felt on top of the world.


While they both were on flight to Mumbai to receive the award.. Mayank
whispered in Prachi's ears "Prachi when we will go back to Bangalore, I
will
ask you to return my favour"

Prachi looked surprised and said "I will be pleased"






The award ceremony went on very well. Prachi had to speak few words on the
stage after receiving the award and she was very nervous about it but one
look at Mayank and words flew from her mouth smoothely. She became a
celebrity overnight. It was one of the memorable days ever for Prachi and
now Prachi was looking forward to what Mayank would ask her after returning
to Bangalore.


Mayank asked her to come home for dinner the day they returned. Prachi was
on cloud 9 and she was sure that Mayank would propose her. She looked
forward for the evening and got ready on time. She looked in the mirror
some
100 times before making sure she looked perfect. Sharp at 8pm she went to
Mayank's home and rang the bell.



Mayank opened the door and stared at her.


"Oh my god..dont do this to me!" said Mayank.


"What did I do?" said Prachi surprised.

"You look ravishing..what if I get heartattack? I am just a psychiatrist
not
a cardiologist" said Mayank again with his flirting smile.



Prachi blushed and felt shy.


Mayank took her hand and made her sit on the sofa. Mayank sat on the small
chair beside her still holding her hand.


Mayank stared at her for a minute and said "actually I have two things to
ask from you Prachi"


"And what are those?" said Prachi, her hands going numb.

Mayank took a deep breath.

"Prachi I want you to forgive Samyu..i mean Samyuktha" said Mayank.

Prachi didn't understand what was Mayank talking about for a second and
later got shocked.

"Yes your friend Samyuktha, Prachi" said Mayank.

Prachi took back her hand which Mayank was holding and stared at him with
thousand questions in her mind. Mayank looked away from her and stared
behind her. Prachi didn't understand where he was looking and turned to the
direction where he was looking. Samyuktha was standing there behind her.
Prachi got shocked looking at her after all these years.



"Prachi..hi...how are you?...." said Samyuktha slowly.


Prachi looked back at Mayank.. "So you knew me from before hand..and all
this was one big drama?" said Prachi with anger.


"See Prachi..yes I knew you ..but all this is not a drama...don't get me
wrong...i..." said Mayank when Prachi cut him in mid-sentence and left his
home
in rage without looking back.


Mayank ran for her but Prachi didn't let him in her house. She closed the
doors and went to her bedroom weeping. Mayank tried calling her mobile, but
she kept it off. Mayank tried knocking her door many times but she didn't
budge from her bedroom. The whole night Prachi kept reeling back to the
time
she met Mayank for first time, how she spent time with Mayank and felt sad
that all that was a drama. He did it all for Samyuktha not because he liked
her. She hated Samyuktha for coming back in her life again. Everything was
so beautiful till yesterday. She ruined everything again.


She slept sobbing in her bedroom and didnt know when it was already 9am in
the morning. She realized she had headache and called her office to tell
she
will be on leave. She noticed a letter near her main door. She knew it must
be from Mayank and didn't touch it for long but kept looking at it. After
few hours passed she decided to read it. It was not from Mayank but from
Samyuktha.


Dear Prachi,

I know you are still very angry with me. And I know I deserved it. Prachi I
cam here all the way from US just for you. After leaving college, I soon
went to US for higher studies and later married Aakash. Life was rosy for
few years but I realized I lost all my friends. Even after marriage Aakash
kept in touch with his old school friends but I didn't had any genuine
friends. The one genuine friend I had, I broke her heart. I wanted to get
in
touch with you again but was afraid of your reaction. I tried contacting
your parents in delhiand they said you left Bangalore. They told me how
much
you have changed and distanced yourself from everybody even with your own
parents. Then I realized I am the reason behind it. Prachi when I was in
college I was naïve and was drawn to all attentions. I didn't understand
what was right or wrong. When I was in school, you helped me to come out of
my shell and later you went into the same cocoon because of me. You don't
know how bad I felt later when I realized my mistake. I wanted to repent
for
everything I did and wanted to bring back that old charming Prachi.

Mayank is school friend of Aakash. I met him when i visited Indialast time
and became good friends. When Mayank decided that he wanted to go to
Bangalorefor his medical practice, I told him about you. I asked him if its
possible for him to get in touch with you. I took your address from your
parents and luckily Mayank got a flat for rent in your apartment. Mayank
kept telling me about you whenever he met you. I realized you have changed
a
lot and felt guilty. Mayank and I decided to tell you about me when the
right time comes. Prachi, Mayank likes and respects you a lot. Being a
psychiatrist he knew you are not the person you were projecting. He wanted
to bring out real you and I was happy that what I couldn't do, atleast he
can do that and did that.

Prachi I am leaving to Delhitoday by 5pm flight. I want to say sorry to you
again in person though its ok if you don't forgive me. And one more thing,
if you want to hate me still, its ok, but don't hate Mayank. Whatever he
did
was not because I asked him to do but he himself wanted it to do. I
primarily wanted to be in touch with you through Mayank, nothing else. I am
not sure if you will forgive me or not but I want to say Sorry for one last
time.


Love
Samyu.


Prachi read that letter for 10 times and tear swelled from her eyes. At 4'o
clock she decided to go to Airport. She reached airport by 4:30 and saw
Samyu there. Samyu was overwhelmed with joy when she saw prachi. As Prachi
came near she swung and hugged her with tears.


"I knew..i knew you would come" said Samyuktha

"How wouldn't I ..i wanted to hear a sorry from you" said Prachi with
tears.

"I am so so so so sorry Prachi..you don't know how happy and relieved I am
after all these years..." said Samyuktha.

"Me too...and...I want to say thank you!" said prachi

"Thank you?" puzzled Samyuktha

"Yeah..thank you for sending Mayank in my life" said Prachi


"I guess that was fate Prachi...I didn't send him..but it was a
co-incidence
that you happened to be my friend...err...aren't we friends"

"Yes..yes..now again don't make me cry..cried a lot since yesterday" said
prachi with a smile.


"ha ha ok ok.." said Samyuktha.


"That's bad, you friends are having good time and forgot about me" said
Mayank from behind.

Prachi looked back with surprise and became happy to see him there.

"Mayank, you wanted to ask one more thing to Prachi yesterday night
right..why don't you ask that?" said Samyuktha looking at Mayank.


"May I madam?" asked Mayank looking at Prachi.

Mayank bent down on his knees and took out a small box from his pocket.

"Will you make tea for me early in the morning everyday , will you cook
dinner for me every day, listen to my bak-bak everyday, sleep with me in my
bed, ....be my better half for rest of my life" said Mayank showing the
ring
to her.


"Yes" said Prachi smiling but with tears " you guys are making me cry like
anything".


"I hope you will not cry for rest of your life" said Mayank and hugged
Prachi.

It was time Samyuktha to leave and she once again hugged and congratulated
Prachi. Then congratulated Mayank and thanked him for everything.